Which of the following is NOT one of the assumptions commonly made about the state of nature in contractarian theories of ethics?
A) People are self-interested in the sense that they don't care how well most other people are doing.
B) People can distinguish good from bad through reflecting on human nature.
C) People are rational.
D) People can benefit from cooperating with one another.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Contractarian theories of ethics, such as those proposed by Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, generally do not assume that people can inherently distinguish good from bad through reflecting on human nature. Instead, these theories often start from the premise that individuals are self-interested, rational, and recognize the benefits of cooperation, leading them to establish social contracts or agreements to ensure mutual benefit and social order. The ability to distinguish good from bad is not a prerequisite assumption for the formation of these social contracts.

Which of the Following Is NOT One of the Assumptions